U.S. Open to Debut a Social Media Wall 50 Feet Wide

The U.S. Open will kickoff next week in Flushing, New York and fans attending the matches will be greeted by a huge addition to the Open grounds: a 50-feet-by-8-feet social media wall. Located adjacent to Louis Armstrong Stadium, the mammoth screen will display a real time Tweetdeck as well as Instagram and Facebook posts of players, fans and commentators.  Nope, we are not making this up.

“…[The Wall] connects our global fan base,” Jeter West said to USA Today, “combining them with the live event and the attendee.”

Fans only have to utilize the hashtag, #usopen, for their tweet to appear on one of the sections of the digital wall, however the content will be monitored by IBM and IDS. At the very least, the wall will be a huge attraction (distraction?) for over 700,000 spectators and put social media at the forefront of one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.

The incorporation of social media in sports is the inevitable next step in giving fans another reason to be passionate about following their favorite teams and players, and should this trial prove successful, there is every reason to believe that other venues will include this in the future design of the spectator experience.

So, what do you think about this social media wall? Should it be a welcomed addition to engaging our favorite tennis players and fellow fans, or will this be a glaring diversion from actually watching the matches? Let us know in the comments section bellow.